You can drop 6-figures on a classic Skyline GT-R sedan

This 1970 GT-R proves that even 4-doors get love at American auctions.

This 1970 GT-R proves that even 4-doors get love at American auctions.

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1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

Classic Japanese cars now have all the attention they deserve. That's a good thing, and also, not a good thing. Prices of classic J-tin, like this immaculate 1970 Hako sedan at RM Auctions, are skyrocketing.

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1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

Classic Japanese cars now have all the attention they deserve. That's a good thing, and also, not a good thing. Prices of classic J-tin, like this immaculate 1970 Hako sedan at RM Auctions, are skyrocketing.

1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

This Hako carries a pre-auction estimate of $100,000-150,000, a lot less than that 1972 went for, but no small amount of coin. For most collectors, these are out of reach.

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1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

That's a shame. To say these cars are "legendary" is to understate the word.

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1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

The Hako's 2-liter inline-six made a healthy 160 hp through three side-draft Mikunis, and with a fully independent semi-trailing arm rear, they could also handle. The engine itself was remarkably advanced: the S20 six packed dual overhead cams actuating four valves per cylinder on top of hemispherical combustion chambers.

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1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

That was heady stuff for the early 1970s, but time has diluted the impact of these numbers. This was an era where a 2002 was considered a bit of a pocket rocket. A 160 hp, independently-sprung rear-drive sedan with a legitimate competition history from a Japanese company? It was a big deal.

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1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

This example appears to be a real GT-R (there are plenty of clones out there), and GT-R sedans are exceptionally rare. Only 832 uber-Hakos were made, less than the coupe. This is the original flashlight; apparently, they're made of unobtanium.

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1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

This one has been restored in Japan. That could be a double-edged sword, as sometimes Japanese restorations focus more on cosmetics than shoring up structural or unseen components. It's just a difference between what American and Japanese buyers value in a restoration.

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1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

While not all the components are original, the listing claims they are for the most part, correct, right down to the tool rolls and manual.

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1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Hakosuka

Outside of Japan, we're mostly familiar with these through media: games, TV, movies. They were never sold outside of the home market. In some ways, that's hurt the appeal to American collectors until recently.